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Two months later—late May
Anna glanced up at Kostas. He smiled at her and kissed her forehead. “Help me with my tie?” he asked.
She tightened it and smoothed it down. The silk glided beneath her fingers. He grasped her hands and kissed each finger before grinning and glancing around the foyer. Grandpa—she was calling him that now, instead of “Uncle”—and Celeste would be out any moment, ready to drive over to the church for Gina and Vincente’s wedding.
“One kiss, princess?”
“Happily given, my prince.” She leaned up on tiptoe to meet his embrace.
His gaze twinkled as he took her in. “You’re looking very Ariel today.” He fingered the pearl bracelet he’d given her last year.
What a change the year had made: grace had taken the loose strands of her life and stitched them into a dream come true. There would be work, and there was also joy.
“I know it’s a lot of pink.” She grinned and fluffed her princess-cut dark pink dress that she had in fact bought because it reminded her of one of Ariel’s dresses from The Little Mermaid.
“It suits you.” He offered his arm and they met Grandpa Enzo and Celeste for the wedding.
Once at church, she clasped Kostas’s arm as they strolled inside. His face didn’t tighten or look stricken anymore, as it had on the day of Grandpa Enzo and Celeste’s wedding. The vast space was almost empty, only the first few pews filled with family and friends; Gina and Vincente had opted for a small celebration. Anna and Kostas walked down the aisle and sat next to Grandpa Enzo, greeting family and friends along the way. The lingering scent of incense and flowers tickled her nose. She crossed her legs at the ankle and leaned into Kostas.
Vincente fiddled with his tie as he waited for Gina to appear. The attendants, Michael and Cam, looked calm and attractive in their suits. Anna let out a contented sigh, happy for Vincente and Gina. Vincente and Gina had gotten special permission to marry without the usual waiting period. She and Kostas weren’t. He was understanding that she needed time to adjust to her new life, to the loss of her father, to the new intimacies and challenges of a healthy relationship.
The music began and they all stood. Gina appeared on her father’s arm. As usual, she glowed with starlet-quality beauty. Gina’s off-white, sleeveless dress hugged all her curves, the cut, the fabric, the color enhancing her beauty. She carried a bouquet of red roses, and wore one in her hair, up in loose, beachy waves.
Anna looked at Kostas. He met her gaze and mouthed, “I love you.”
She quirked her lips and mouthed back, “I know.”
Rewarded with a flash of his dimple and a tug on his ear, their signal that one of them wanted physical affection—both of their love languages were physical touch—she grasped his hand and sat close to him.
“Please be seated,” Father Grihalva said.
The ceremony had begun. The beginning of a new life for Gina and Vincente. Spring had sprung so many of those for Anna’s loved ones, and she was in the thick of it, enjoying every moment.
A couple of hours later, she and Kostas walked outside to join the others at Grandpop’s for the reception. The sun shone low in the sky, giving the bay a shimmering sheen. People already sat at the round tables grouped under an open tent on the wide expanse of lawn while the food loaded two long rectangular tables. Lanterns illuminated the tables, making the red rose centerpieces, china, silverware, and crystal sparkle. They greeted most of the guests and were introduced to the few they hadn’t met. Most were already filling their plates with food, so Kostas led her to the line.
He picked up a plate and placed some grilled chicken, green salad, soft breadsticks, and fruit on it. He waited, his plate full. She loaded up her plate similarly and they walked, close together, to their table.
Sophia and Carlo, Joey, Pete, Becca, and a young blonde woman sat at one of the family tables. Sophia introduced her to the young woman, Sara Morgan, who was a friend of Vincente and Gina, and who Anna suspected Sophia was trying to set up with Joey. But he soon got to talking sports with Kostas and Pete—baseball from the little she heard—while Sophia and Carlo spoke about their vacation plans.
They all ate and talked. Anna and Sara chatted about animated movies, which they both liked, and Sara told her about her vintage coffee cart and how she was trying to expand into handmade chocolates, but that Michael Marchesi wasn’t wanting to work any kind of barter deal with her as she’d hoped. Anna set up a meeting with her, because she and Kostas were on the lookout for more small businesses to invest in, and she thought Sara’s ideas sounded solid and helpful for both businesses. Anna was surprised Michael had argued with Sara about it; he was usually even more easy-going than Lee.
After dinner, a murmuring breeze sent a shiver over her. Most of the others had left the table once the cake cutting and dessert ended. Kostas edged close and asked if she needed his coat, but she shook her head and wrapped his arms around her instead. Everyone sprawled out on blankets or settled on chairs and benches, some with their feet up on ottomans with throws for warmth against the chilly snap in the air. Others danced to low music on the small dance floor that had been constructed over the lawn for the night. Listening to the pleasant buzz of laughter and conversation, she gazed out at the bay shimmering with the lights of the city and the rising moon.
“Gina’s getting ready to throw her bouquet,” he said. “You want to try for it?”
“I will.”
He took her elbow and led her to the lawn.
The bachelors gathered first. Kostas, Pete, Joey, Marco, Paolo, Michael, and a few other guys stood, trying to look like they didn’t care, except Paolo, who edged forward with Marco. Grandpop strode behind them, as if he were in charge of the ragged group.
“Here goes, gentlemen,” Vincente said. “And I only mean two of you.”
Chuckles and groans rippled through the crowd. Vincente tossed the garter right to Marco, who caught it and kissed Paolo. Anna cheered and everyone, especially the other guys, clapped. None of them was ready to get married, she guessed, except Kostas. But he didn’t need a gesture to confirm that; he’d been vocal and patient in his desire for marriage. They all melted into the crowd and they waited for the ladies to step out. Sophia forced Janetta forward.
“Paolo, come on,” Janetta said.
“We got ours.” He laughed.
Anna did too, at Janetta’s scowl. Anna spotted Becca, and waved her over. “Join me?”
Janetta saw her too, ran over, and pulled them both out on the floor. A couple of other women joined them. Then Janetta stepped back, out of the gathering, with Cam and her partner, Mac. Sophia, standing nearby, crossed her arms but said nothing.
Vincente kissed Gina. With a turn, Gina tossed the bouquet, which Anna caught. Everyone cheered. Anna knew in that moment as she brought the bouquet up to catch its spicy scent that she was ready to set a wedding date. Kostas would smile so wide, he’d show two dimples.
They walked forward to wait for Vincente and Gina. Soon, it was their turn. She hugged them both.
“You look beautiful,” she said to Gina.
“Thanks, you too. I’m glad you could share our day. It’s good we’re all family, and I count you as my friend.”
She nodded, smiling through the joyful tears that pooled behind her eyes. “Enjoy your honeymoon.”
“We will,” Vincente said. “Kostas, thanks for looking out for the business.”
Kostas nodded and shook Vincente’s hand. “Give our best to everyone in Vico.”
“Will do.” Vincente and Gina moved forward, to finish saying goodbye to the other guests.
Sophia walked over as they strolled away. “Wasn’t that beautiful?” Sophia said, glancing at Joey. Sophia was ready for grandbabies, and since Janetta had vowed never to have children, Joey was Sophia’s hope.
“Yes. Grandpop knows how to throw a party.”
“I wish you could’ve been here for one when Aunt Teresa was with us.”
She’d heard the parties were even more extravagant and full of warmth when Aunt Angela and Aunt Teresa had been alive. “Me too.”
“We do what we can.” Sophia rubbed her arm. “Thanks for honoring them. I saw your gift in their honor to help fund the women’s knitting group at church.”
She smiled. “I’m glad to be able to do it. My dad would want to honor them.”
Sophia hugged her. “We’ll see you soon. You two take good care of each other.” She cupped Kostas’s cheek. “Honey, your mom would be so proud of the man you’ve become. Carlo and I are too. We’ve been hard on you, and we’re sorry.” Kostas kissed his aunt’s cheek. Sophia was the kind of mom she used to wish for—warm, loving, protective. Anna had so many new role models for the kind of parent she wanted to be. In this moment, though, she returned Kostas’s hand squeeze.
Together, they walked to the far baluster overlooking the lit-up city and the glimmering bay. He wrapped his arm around her and she leaned close, hugging his waist.
“I’m ready to set a date.” Anna glanced up at Kostas.
His dimples punctuated his joy and he kissed her. “When?”
“Christmas?”
“Best gift ever.”
“It’s part of the ongoing present.” Anna hugged him tighter.
“Love,” he said as he did Amen, firmly and with conviction.
“Yes.” The everyday miracles would keep coming. They believed.